Shelf divider



Jan. 23, 1951 E. H. MQKEEHAN SHELF DIVIDER Filed May 10, 1948 M/s/vr m .Y. N ,5 M M E H O m m a m i rug f Patented Jan. 23, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SHELF DIVIDER Eugene H. McKeehan, St. Louis, Mo.

Application May 10, 1948, Serial No. 26,009

2 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to a device whereby the surface of a shelf or the like, may be divided into a plurality of sections or compartments for the display of merchandise.

Specifically, the invention relates to a divider or separator of simple construction, and which is designed for ready adaptation to display shelving incorporated in conventional showcases or the like.

The invention has particular merit in connection with the sale of such merchandise as neckwear, hosiery, shirts, pajamas, gloves, etc., which items are ordinarily displayed in showcases.

Showcases of the type referred to have their top, front, and end walls formed of transparent material such as plate glass, these parts being supported on a wooden or metal base, with sliding access doors operable by a salesman, provided in the rear wall of the case.

Interiorly of the case, one or more horizontal ly disposed shelves in spaced vertical relation are suspended by brackets secured to the rear corner posts. The shelves extend from end to end of the case, with their front and rear edges spaced from the front and rear walls respectively of the case.

The principal object of this invention therefore, is to provide a simple device whereby two or more separate compartments or divisions may be easily and quickly defined on such shelves.

In order to divide a shelf into two separate sections, only one instant device is required, it being installed intermediate or at any selected locale between the ends of the shelf. Should a plurality of sub-divisions be required, such number of instant devices are installed as may be needed.

The divider may be quickly and easily applied to a shelf, shifted in either direction, or removed. A novel feature incorporated in the invention resides in the provision of means whereby the device may be readily installed on shelving of standard width, and as readily installed on shelving the width of which is smaller, or greater, than standard.

In general terms, the divider includes a base member provided with an integral depending hook portion for engaging the forward or front edge of a shelf, the base member itself resting upon the upper surface of said shelf. Also included is a vertical panel bonded to the base member, trunnions rigid with the panel adjacent the one end thereof, and a resilient retaining device associated with said trunnions adapted to firmly engage the rear edge of said shelf.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the base member, the panel, and the trunnions are of transparent plastic material. The configuration, length, and height of the-panel is optional, as is understood. However, for reasons to appear, the

rear vertical edge of the panel projects beyond the rear extremity of the basemember.

Advantages and features of the invention not specifically set forth hereinbefore, will be apparent or referred to in the description to follow, reference being also had to the accompanying drawing in which the preferred form is illustrated.

In said drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the divider;

Fig. 2- is a side elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a rear end elevational view thereof;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale taken approximately on the line 5-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of a conventional merchandise display case, with a portion of the front wall broken away to more clear- 1y illustrate the manner in which the invention is utilized;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view, on an en larged scale, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 5.

Referring now to the drawing, the divider of the present invention is generally designated 8. It includes a base member it), a vertically extending panel member 2, a horizontally disposed pin generally designated I l, and a resilient retaining device generally designated [6.

The base member iii, the panel member [2, and the pin [4 are preferably of transparent plastic material. The retaining device or clip I6 is formed of metallic material. The length of the base H3 is determined by the width of theshelving to which it is to be applied.

In other words, since conventional shelves of the type herein under consideration are manufactured in widths of ten, twelve, or fourteen inches, the length of the base It is governed accordingly.

However, since it has been found that slight variations of one-sixteenth to one-fourth of an inch over or under standard sizes are frequently encountered, the ingenuity of the novel spring clip contrivance incorporated in the present invention to compensate for these variations is considered to be of prime importance, as will appear.

As shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, the base I ll comprises a relatively narrow strip member the front end ll? of which terminates in a reversely bent or hook portion 29, and the rear end 22 of which terminates short of the vertical rear end 2 of the panel l2.

As indicated at 25 in Fig. 4 the bottom edge of the panel !2 is permanently bonded to the base In along the longitudinal centerline of the latter. dependent upon the material of which the base and panel are composed.

The pin I4, as indicated at 28 in Fig. 4, passes The bonding agent employed is obviously through and is permanently bonded to an aperture formed in the panel I2 adjacent the rear end thereof. The pin [4 projects laterally on either side of the panel to provide a pair of trunnions or gudgeons 30, as shown.

The device is preferably comprises a single length of spring steel formed into the configuration illustrated. It includes a pair of spaced forwardly extending arms 32, a pair of spaced loops 34, and a pair of spaced rearwardly extending arms 36 joined by a horizontally disposed connecting portion 38. The lower end of each arm 36 is arcuately formed as indicated at 40.

When the divider is not in use, the spring clip It occupies the position shown in Fig. 2, with the arms 32 bearing against the upper surface of the base l0, and the arcuate portions 40 of the arms 36 impinging against the rear edge 22 thereof.

' V In Fig. 5, the use of the divider is portrayed in conjunction with the shelving of a standard display case. It is noted however, that this application is by way of example only, and that the invention may be applied to shelves supported either within or outside of cabinets, and may provide subdivisions for merchandise other than wearing apparel.

The typical show-case illustrated includes a base 42, a top 44, a front wall 35, and end walls 48. The base 42 may be of wood, metal, or other composition, but the top and the walls :are all of transparent material.

The rear corner posts of the case are designated 50, and to them are fastened suitable brackets 52 each of which includes a forwardly projecting arm 54. Each arm 54 supports the adjacent end of a horizontally disposed shelf 56, whereby the latter is suspended within the show-case. This arrangement is so well known that it is cons dered unnecessary to further illuswhich the invention is to be, applied. It is noted in this connection however, that in order to obtain the full advantages of the retaining device IE, the base is made shorter than the standard width of the shelving for which it is designed.

Thus it should be obvious that the divider may be quickly and easily applied to shelving the width of which may be accurate or inaccurate.

Assuming now for examplewith respect to Fig. 5, that the merchandise to be displayed for sale includes neckwear, scarves, and shirts. For the'neckwear, the upper shelf 56 may be subdivided into a plurality of relatively narrow compartments 62; for the scarves, into a plurality of somewhat wider compartments 64; for the shirts, the lower shelf 56 into a plurality of still wider compartments 66.

.From the foregoing it should be apparent that the invention achieves its objects. Its novel construction obviously admits of modifications without departing from the principle of the invention, which is to be limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a horizontally disposed shelf supported at its ends in a merchandise display case or the like, a device of the character and for the purpose described, said device including: a horizontal base portion the length of which is shorter than the width of said shelf; a reversely bent hook portion formed on one end of the base for engaging the forward edge of said shelf; a vertically upwardly extending panel rigid with said base along the longitudinal centerline of the latter, the rear edge of said panel projecting beyond the rear edge of said base portion; a pair of oppositely disposed trunnions each projecting laterally from one side of said panel adjacent one end thereof; and a resilient spring clip including spaced loop portions each pivotally mounted on one of said trunnions, spaced forwardly extending arm portions each adapted to bear against the upper surface of said base, and spaced rearwardly extending arm portions adapted to engage the rear edge of the shelf aforesaid.

2. In combination with a horizontally disposed shelf supported at its ends in a merchandise dis play case or the like, a device of the character and for the purpose described, said device including: a horizontal base portion the length of which is shorter than the width of said shelf; a reversely bent hook portion formed on one end of the base for engaging the forward edge of said shelf; a vertically extending. panel the bottom edge of which rests upon and is bonded to the upper surface of said base along the longitudinal centerline of the latter, the rear edge of said panel projecting beyond the rear edge of said base portion; a horizontally disposed pin passing through an aperture formed insaid panel and projecting laterally beyond either side of the panel to thus provide a pair of trunnions adjacent one end thereof, said pin being bonded to the panel; and a resilient spring clip including a pair of spaced loop portions pivotally mounted 0n said trunnions, a pair of spaced forwardly extending arm portions adapted to bear against the upper surface of said base, a pair of spaced rearwardly extending arm por tions adapted to engage the rear edge of the shelf aforesaid, and a portion connecting the last-named arms.

EUGENE H. MCKEEHAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent! UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 332,524 'Hibbs Dec. 15, 1885 567,003 Poindexter Sept. 1, 1896 699,976 Richards May 13, 1902 --807,757 Martin Dec. 19, 1905 992,04? Peak May 9, 1911 1,414,130 Hislop Apr. 25, 1922 1,555,038 Thweatt Sept-29,- 1925 1,689,070 Elliot Oct; 23, 1928 2,014,516 Beddingfield Sept. 1'7, 1935 2,020,373 Petzold Nov. 12, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 4,990 Great Britain 1913 

